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Literary Fiction Writing

If your passion is for literary fiction, you’ll find guidelines for mastering plot, character, setting, dialogue and more right here. You’ll also get insights into selling your work and getting it published.

The 7 Tools of Dialogue

January 25, 2011 | James Scott Bell | Comments: 1

My neighbor John loves to work on his hot rod. He’s an automotive whiz and tells me he can hear when something is not quite right with the engine. He doesn’t hesitate … Read more

10-Minute Fixes to 10 Common Plot Problems

December 7, 2010 | Elizabeth Sims | Comments: 1

Structural problems can sink a novel. Let’s look at 10 common plot problems and how to quickly fix them.

by Elizabeth Sims
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How to “Up the Stakes” for Your Main Character

October 5, 2010 | Victoria Lynn Schmidt | Comments: 0

Don’t be afraid to make things hard on your characters. You should always come up with several different problems to choose from. Here are 3 ways to do that.

by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
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9 Must-Follow Manuscript Rules

September 28, 2010 | Anica Mrose Rissi | Comments: 2

Here’s editor Anica Mrose Rissi’s list of what you can do to increase your book’s chances of making it out of the slush pile and into the spotlight.

by Anica Mrose Rissi
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How to Write Intriguing Male and Female Characters

September 3, 2010 | Leigh Anne Jasheway | Comments: 2

Understanding gender differences can improve your writing in any genre. Here’s how.

by Leigh Anne Jasheway
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Quick Tip: How to Develop Your Characters

August 27, 2010 | admin | Comments: 0

Here are 4 quick exercises to make sure your characters speak to readers (and agents).
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The 4 Story Structures that Dominate Novels

August 24, 2010 | Orson Scott Card | Comments: 1

All stories contain four elements that can determine structure: milieu, idea, character and event. Here’s a look at each one and how each will affect your novel.

by Orson Scott Card
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5 Steps to a Great Female Protagonist

July 9, 2010 | Jessica Strawser | Comments: 0

According to bestselling authors JT Ellison, Alex Kava and Erica Spindler, there are 5 key ways to make your heroine shine. Here they are.

by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)
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Motivate Your Characters Like a Pro

July 8, 2010 | Jessica Strawser | Comments: 0

In his session “The Psychology of Character Motivation,” Edgar-nominated author D.P. Lyle, MD, shared this invaluable exercise for developing your characters’ motivations as your story unfolds.

by Jessica Strawser, reporting from ThrillerFest 2010 (New York City)
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How to Give Your Character the Perfect Name

June 8, 2010 | Devyani Borade | Comments: 2

What you call your characters could influence your readers’ perceptions of them. Here are some factors to consider in finding the perfect match.

by Devyani Borade
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